Client Installation

From FileZilla Wiki
Revision as of 07:04, 27 July 2012 by DeborahCook (talk | contribs) (minor updates)
Jump to navigationJump to search

This documentation attempts to explain installation of the FileZilla FTP and SFTP Client.

FileZilla comes in three versions. There is an installer version that offers ease of installation and uninstallation for novice users, a zipped version for people that don't like installers or have special needs, and then for the advanced user there is a source version which lets you take a look at, modify and/or compile the source code of FileZilla.

Don't worry if you find this confusing, I'll get back to each of them in depth later in this document and try to help you choose which one you need.

Getting

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is _strongly_ recommended that you only download FileZilla from the official source to avoid viruses and spyware. There have been unofficial versions of FileZilla that contained viruses and spyware on sites like download.com, so don't use them! Also, I recommended to always get the latest version of FileZilla regardless of which version this documentation or the download page was based on!

Choosing the right download

As I said earlier, there are three different FileZilla versions you can download. Basically they are all the same, they are just presented to you differently. I will now try to explain each of them before we start downloading FileZilla in the next section.

Installer version

As a novice user the installer version is the safe and easy choice. With this version you only need to download the file, run it and the program will get installed by itself. If you don't know which version to get, this is probably the one you want. However, if you don't have sufficient rights to install programs on the computer you are using (e.g. at work or at school) the zip version is the way to go. If you've already decided to go for the installer version, you can go directly to downloading.

Note: The installer version is not available for Linux or Mac.

Zip version

If you have special needs, don't have sufficient rights to install programs or don't like installers, the zip version is there for you. A zip-file is a file that contains files inside of it. They are packed into one file and you need to unpack (unzip) them to use them. To do this you need a zip program (or if you are running Windows XP there's a simple unzipper included in the operating system). If you need such a program I can recommend the free and open source based program 7-zip.

TIP: If you want to put FileZilla on a USB stick so you can take your copy of FileZilla with all its settings wherever you go, the zip version is the best bet. Note there are additional steps required to make it portable.

Source code version

This is for the advanced user who wants to take a look at or modify the source code of FileZilla. You can find compiling instructions on this wiki. The page is outdated and incomplete but it'll give you a general idea. You will have to check out the forum (Main forum) to get more information.

Downloading FileZilla

By now you should have made up your mind on which version you want to download. If not, go back to choosing the right download and make a decision.

Choosing the appropriate version

Now it's time to head over to the download section. Click this link (if you right-click it and choose Open in new window you can still follow this guide while downloading) and then wait for the page to load.

Still remember which version you want to get? You now need to download the correct file, the download page will help you with this. Choose between installer, zip or source code version. Next, click the link you want.

Downloading the file

You will now get to a new page which should look something like the picture below:

Choosing download location

If the download does not start automatically after a few seconds, click on the link labeled direct link.

Sometimes the mirror chosen for the download is unavailable. You can select a different mirror by clicking on Select a different mirror.

Saving and running

Depending on which browser you are using you will (normally) see a window where you can decide what to do with the file you are downloading. The easiest way is just to hit run or open and the file will download and then be run. As FileZilla does not contain a software signature/certificate, you might get some warning messages telling you that you are running a potentially dangerous file downloaded from the Internet, but let me assure you, Sourceforge is a reliable download source and it shouldn't be any problem. If you are familiar with how to save the file and would like to do that, go ahead. Just remember to save it where you can easily find it afterwards and then open it from there :) On Windows Vista, 7 or 8, you might need to confirm an additional UAC prompt to start the installer.

Hopefully after the file downloads you will have started the FileZilla installer if you went for the installer version or opened the zip file in a zip program for any other version. In the next section I'll help you through the installation process.

Installing on Windows

With installer version

Please note: All screenshots are from Windows 8. Yours may look different, but the functionality is the same.

Make sure that the user account which is being used for the installation has administrative rights that allow the installation of software.

Possible Confirmation prompts

Depending on OS settings and version, it is possible that one or both of the following confirmation prompts appear:

FileZilla installer: Prompt 1

FileZilla installer: UAC prompt


License agreement

Hopefully you should now see the following window where you will have to accept the terms of the license agreement to continue. Read through it and click "I Agree" if you do.

FileZilla installer: License agreement

Installing for me or all users?

You will now have to decide if you want to install only for your user account or if FileZilla should be accessible by every user on the machine. This mainly affects where the Start Menu icons are placed. Installing for all users needs administrative privileges, and every user will have his/her own settings.

[[Image:Me_or_everyone.png|FileZilla installer: Installing for ... \n

5 Principles for Inner Transformation at Work

People go to work to sustain themselves and produce value in the world. Yet work environments can also be stressful, filled with challenging responsibilities and personalities, and feel misaligned with our most deeply cherished values. Instead of sustaining us, the workplace can sometimes feel simply draining, and at worst, unwholesome for both ourselves and the world.

[5 Principles for Inner Transformation at Work]

[GoodvilleNews.com - good, positive news, inspirational stories, articles]

5 Things You Can Do To Love Your Authentic Self More

I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as Ive become. If I had, Id have done it a lot earlier. Oprah WinfreyIt can be easy to love other people but its not always easy to love your authentic self, am I right?

[5 Things You Can Do To Love Your Authentic Self More]

[GoodvilleNews.com - good, positive news, inspirational stories, articles]

Would Gandhi Use Social Media?

If Gandhi were alive today, would he use social media? He was never anti-technology, or even anti-changing with the times. Quite the opposite, actually. If Internet technologies and social networks were around, he would certainly have embraced them -- but with a conscious mindfulness of their strengths and weaknesses.

[Would Gandhi Use Social Media?]

[GoodvilleNews.com - good, positive news, inspirational stories, articles]

An Incredible Graduation Gift from Dad

Brenna Martins dad evidently doesnt like last-minute shopping. Bryan Martin a purchased a gift for his daughters high school graduation -- which happened earlier this month -- thirteen years ago. He managed to keep it hidden this whole time, and his "moving, touching, nostalgic, and thoughtful" present (her words) brought Brenna to tears when dad finally gave it to her last week.

[An Incredible Graduation Gift from Dad]

[GoodvilleNews.com - good, positive news, inspirational stories, articles]

7 Reasons Why Not Making Mistakes Is The Biggest Mistake

The FEAR of being nothing, achieving nothing and becoming nothing should be way bigger than the fear of making mistakes.A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. ~ George Bernard Shaw

[7 Reasons Why Not Making Mistakes Is The Biggest Mistake]

[GoodvilleNews.com - good, positive news, inspirational stories, articles]